Acts 20

After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.

When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.

We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.

There were many lights in the upper room where we were gathered together.

A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead.

Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said, “Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”

When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.

They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.

But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.

When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and came to Mitylene.

Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

When they had come to him, he said to them, “You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,

serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;

except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

“Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.

Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men,

for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing.

You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records Paul’s journey from Greece to Jerusalem, highlighting both the miraculous restoration of Eutychus in Troas and Paul’s deeply emotional farewell address to the elders of Ephesus at Miletus. It marks a turning point in Acts, as Paul moves resolutely toward Jerusalem despite warnings of suffering, conscious that his ministry in Asia Minor is concluded. The chapter underscores themes of pastoral duty, the dangers facing the church, and the cost of faithful service.

Flow.

Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece, then begins his return journey, gathering companions for the trip to Jerusalem.
In Troas, Paul preaches late into the night, during which Eutychus falls from a window and dies—only to be restored to life by Paul.
The group proceeds to Miletus, where Paul, unable to visit Ephesus, summons its elders for a final exhortation.
He reviews his ministry, warns of coming threats, and urges the elders to vigilance, concluding with prayer and tearful farewells.

Connections.
Following chapter 19, where Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus culminates in spiritual power and opposition, chapter 20 shows the aftermath of that work as Paul prepares to leave the region permanently. His meeting with the Ephesian elders serves as a theological and emotional bridge, summarizing his past labors and foreshadowing the trials ahead in Jerusalem, which chapter 21 will detail. The urgency to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost () links directly to the events of the next chapter, where Paul’s arrival triggers the chain of arrests and testimonies that dominate the remainder of Acts.

What it teaches.
Paul’s speech to the elders emphasizes the integrity and completeness of his ministry: he has declared “the whole counsel of God” (), fulfilling the calling to preach repentance and faith (WCF 1.6). His warning about “savage wolves” and false teachers () confirms the church’s ongoing need for godly oversight and doctrinal vigilance (HC LD 31). The reference to God “purchasing” the church “with his own blood” () bears witness to the deity and atoning work of Christ (Athanasian Creed, 2). Paul’s example of self-support and sacrificial service models the love and humility required of those who lead Christ’s flock (WCF 24.3).

Apply.
Faithful ministry endures hardship, resists greed, and prioritizes the spiritual good of others, leaving behind both example and exhortation for those who remain.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.